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Issue · Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice across the country

Every criminal justice bill from all 50 state legislatures and Congress, introduced in the last 12 weeks and automatically classified by Maddy, our AI policy reader.

Total bills
191
last 12 weeks
Active states
14
jurisdictions with bills
Most active
United States
110 bills
Stance split
148 for 43 against
National trend

Bills introduced per week

12-week window
Jun 29 Sep 14
Showing 7 of 7 bills

Bills supporting criminal justice

in committee · United States · House Aug 20, 2026

HR 10124: Mail Theft and Postal Key Crime Prevention Act of 2026

The Mail Theft and Postal Key Crime Prevention Act of 2026 requires the Attorney General to designate a specific assistant United States attorney in every federal judicial district to coordinate the investigation and prosecution of organized mail theft and related fraud schemes. These coordinators are tasked with working alongside federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to address crimes involving stolen postal keys, identity theft, and financial fraud facilitated by intercepted mail. The bill also mandates that the Attorney General submit an annual report to Congress for five years detailing trends in these offenses and the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination efforts. Additionally, it directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and update federal sentencing guidelines to ensure harsher penalties for crimes involving postal access devices, large-scale theft operations, or violence against postal workers.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill strengthens law enforcement by mandating dedicated federal prosecutors to coordinate investigations and prosecutions of organized mail theft and fraud.95% confidence
Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Sentencing
Josh Harder (D) · 1 co-sponsor
in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 24, 2026

HB 2744: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, further providing for modification or revocation of order of probation.

Pennsylvania House Bill 2744 amends state sentencing laws to limit the length of jail time for individuals who violate probation rules without committing a new crime. The bill requires courts to consider a defendant's employment status before imposing total confinement for these technical violations. It establishes specific caps on jail sentences, limiting them to 14 days for a first violation and 30 days for a second violation. For third or subsequent technical violations, the law allows judges to use any sentencing alternatives that were available when the person was originally sentenced.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits jail time for probation violations and mandates consideration of employment, promoting rehabilitation over punitive incarceration.95% confidence
Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing
Tim Briggs (D) · 8 co-sponsors
in committee · United States · Senate Jul 21, 2026

S 5058: Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act of 2026

The Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act of 2026 adds new federal penalties for intentionally causing collisions with commercial motor vehicles. It directly affects drivers who stage these accidents and those who arrange for others to do so. Under the bill, a driver who intentionally crashes into a commercial truck faces up to 20 years in prison, while causing serious injury or death in such a staged event carries a minimum sentence of 20 years. The law also holds organizers of these staged crashes criminally liable under the same sentencing guidelines. Prosecution under this federal statute is barred if the individual has already been convicted or acquitted for the same act in state court.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by imposing severe penalties for staged accident fraud, enhancing accountability and deterrence.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by imposing severe penalties for staged accidents involving commercial vehicles, protecting the integrity of the transport system.90% confidence
Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing Freight
Ashley Moody (R)
introduced · Ohio · Senate Jul 21, 2026

SB 466: Increase sentence reduction credit a prisoner may receive

To amend section 2967.194 of the Revised Code to increase the availability of sentence reduction credit a prisoner may receive for successfully participating in specified programs.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases sentence reduction credits for rehabilitation programs, aligning with criminal justice reform and recidivism reduction goals.90% confidence
Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing
Bill Blessing (R)
in committee · Michigan · Senate Jul 2, 2026

SB 1089: Courts: funding; trial court funding; provide for. Amends secs. 880d, 8727 & 8827 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.880d et seq.); adds secs. 1495, 1496 & 1497 & repeals secs. 8729 & 8829 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.8729 & 600.8829). TIE BAR WITH: SB 1090'26

This bill establishes a standardized process for courts to determine whether individuals can afford court-related fees and fines. It requires judges to conduct a three-part financial assessment before imposing costs, which includes checking if a person receives public assistance, has income below a specific low-income threshold, or faces unique financial hardships. Under the new rules, people currently incarcerated are automatically considered indigent, and those found to be unable to pay will not be ordered to cover court costs or fees. Additionally, the legislation allows individuals to request a review of their financial status after sentencing if their circumstances have changed, potentially leading to the waiver of previously imposed charges.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes funding mechanisms and financial assessments for court fees, ensuring access to justice and protecting essential judicial services from being restricted by cost barriers.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a financial assessment process to ensure indigent defendants are not burdened by fees, protecting civil rights and reducing barriers to justice.85% confidence
Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing
Stephanie Chang (D) · 3 co-sponsors
in committee · Michigan · House Jul 14, 2026

HB 6173: Animals: animal shelters; cross-references to 1969 PA 287 in Michigan penal code; update. Amends sec. 49 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.49). TIE BAR WITH: HB 6167'26

HB 6173 updates the Michigan penal code to clarify definitions and strengthen penalties related to animal fighting and baiting. The bill explicitly defines "animal control agencies" as shelters licensed under the Animal Protection Act and expands prohibitions to include renting or obtaining venues for these illegal activities. It also mandates that animal control agencies sterilize or secure a deposit for sterilization before adopting animals with fighting histories. Additionally, the legislation imposes stricter sentencing guidelines for owners whose trained fighting animals attack people and establishes specific misdemeanor charges for failing to restrain such animals on their property.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens penalties for animal fighting and expands prohibitions, enhancing law enforcement capabilities and protecting public safety.85% confidence
Sub-Topics Sentencing
Mike McFall (D) · 6 co-sponsors
in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4967: Stop TNR Act of 2026

The Stop TNR Act of 2026 establishes a formal definition for transnational repression, which covers foreign government efforts to harass, threaten, or harm individuals in the United States, including the use of cyberattacks and artificial intelligence. This legislation mandates that crimes involving such activities face a mandatory sentencing enhancement of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000. To enforce these rules, the bill requires the Attorney General to centralize the oversight of related investigations and prosecutions within the FBI and the National Security Division of the Department of Justice. Additionally, the act directs federal agencies to produce annual public reports detailing incidents of repression and outlines a strategy for using artificial intelligence to investigate and counter these threats.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by defining transnational repression crimes and mandating enhanced sentencing to deter foreign government harassment.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enhances cybersecurity by defining transnational repression and mandating stricter penalties for cyberattacks and AI misuse.85% confidence
Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Artificial Intelligence
Adam B. Schiff (D) · 1 co-sponsor